Ricoh, the Japanese electronics multinational, has claimed 20% higher output for its new generation of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) in the series RICOH EH DSSC Series, compared to the previous product. It introduced this series in February 2020 calling it the world's 'first' solid-state DSSC modules (see Japanese Company Launches Solar Cells For Indoors).
It comes in 3 size formats of RICOH EH DSSC5284a, DSSC2832a and DSSC1719a, all with 1.4mm thickness. Its engineers developed the product using the company's own organic photoconductor technology which, it said, 'solves' safety and durability problems as liquid leakage and corrosion something that happens to batteries using electrolytes. These are also useful to generate electricity with high efficiency in places where there are low light levels.
The company claims new DSSC to be used in low-temperature as low as -30ºC for various settings, including lighted refrigerated warehouses and sensors for merchandizing freezers. Ricoh specifies that the new DSSC product can be used as an independent power source for internet of things (IoT) sensor makers to use in devices for manufacturing and distribution industries, smart offices and homes, and nursing and medical care facilities where these can help in storage of pharmaceuticals.
Ricoh stated it hopes to expand their use as self-contained power sources into areas including sensing devices, light-emitting devices, and switches to power IoT.
"The Internet of Things (IoT) brings the power of the internet beyond standard computers or smartphones to a wide range of objects. Data from sensors attached to those objects can be collected and uploaded to the internet. The data can be used for monitoring environments or object locations wirelessly and without the need for batteries," explained Ricoh. "The use of sensors is expected to increase in the future. Energy harvesting technologies (environmental power generation) using light, heat, vibration, etc., are attracting wide-spread attention as an effective power source that can power sensors continuously."